ECONOMY

News Brief: Relief Measure, Texas Mask Mandate, Big-Tech Critics

5:54am March 10, 2021

The House is expected to approve the COVID-19 relief bill. Texans are no longer required to wear masks in public. Biden is expected to hire two critics of big tech for roles in his administration.

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Economy

Remote Forever: Workers Relocate In Pandemic, Forcing Employers To Adjust

4:08pm March 09, 2021

by Laurel Wamsley

With millions of Americans suddenly working remotely, some took the opportunity to move across the country — crossing their fingers that when it's safe to go back to the office, they won't have to.

What the $300 a month child benefit could do for parents on the edge.

What The $300 A Month Child Benefit Could Mean For A Family On The Edge

9:36am March 09, 2021

by Anya Kamenetz

The monthly checks would mark a big shift in the federal government's approach to child poverty. One study estimates they could cut the number of poor children by half.

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Post Office Can't Afford To Replace Entire Aging Gas-Powered Fleet With EVs

7:43am March 09, 2021

by Brian Naylor

The U.S. Postal Service announced a half billion dollar contract to replace some of its older vehicles, but only a fraction will be electric powered. Environmentalists are disappointed.

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Economy

The Complexities Of Raising The Minimum Wage On The Retail Industry

6:53am March 08, 2021

by Alina Selyukh

The debate over raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour is often framed as big government versus small business. But among small shop owners, there is little consensus on the proposal.

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News Brief: Relief Bill, Pandemic Roundup, Derek Chauvin Trial

5:41am March 08, 2021

Congress nears approving COVID-19 relief measure. Health officials remind everyone to remain vigilant of coronavirus. The ex-Minneapolis officer accused of killing George Floyd goes on trial Monday.

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A store in New York City stands closed on April 21, 2020. A year after the coronavirus pandemic was declared, millions of Americans are still unemployed.

'Why Us?': A Year After Being Laid Off, Millions Are Still Unemployed

3:44pm March 07, 2021

by Sam Gringlas

Millions who lost jobs at the beginning of the pandemic are still out of the labor force, making up levels of the unemployed not seen since the Great Recession.

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President Biden speaks at the White House about efforts to combat COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Senate Passes $1.9 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Package

2:01pm March 06, 2021

by Chloee Weiner

The package delivers a new round of financial assistance to Americans grappling with the impact of the pandemic. The House will need to vote on the final version.

Kim Noble speaks at TEDSalon: Education Everywhere, January 24, 2019 at the TED World Theater, New York, NY. Photo: Dian Lofton / TED

Kimberly Noble: How Does Family Income Affect Child Brain Development?

2:26pm March 05, 2021

by NPR/TED Staff

At birth, babies' brains look pretty similar. But by age five, there are acute disparities in development. Through a series of studies, Kimberly Noble has found one major factor is family income.

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A man walks past a "Now Hiring" sign in front of a store in early December in Arlington, Va. U.S. employers added 379,000 jobs in February, as hiring picked up sharply from the previous month.

A Sign Of Hope After 'Winter Hibernation': Employers Add 379,000 Jobs

9:37am March 05, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 6.2% last month as the winter wave of coronavirus infections eased.